Category: Gathering

Find out the best botany leves per tier, and how to maximize the use of levequests for you botanist.

Welcome! This is a quick resource about the best botany levequests per leve tier. If you’re reading, this you’ll wanna read: Botany Leveling Guide. Not much else to put in this intro – but I suggest you read the short mini-guide before the table. Also, always remember…

When in doubt: “Flower Elf” and “Catgirl Fishing” best.
“Lala” and “King” are garbage.

Inequality!!! Not all botany levequests are equal. Of the 4 types of leves you can get, 2 are far better than the other 2. Like I said: Flower Elf > Catgirl Fishing > Lala/King (equally bad). The problem is the massive difference between the good and the bad… in any case – avoid the latter if you can.

Evaluation Botany Leves: are the what I called the “Flower Elf (FE)” and “Catgirl Fishing (CF)“. If you get the highest possible evaluation rating – you get a chunky EXP bonus. This is what you want! This can be hard to do if your gear is severely outdated.

Levequest Engineering:is the process of ‘forcing’ certain levequests to pop for you. How is this achieved?

Accept all available botany levequests when you reach a new levemete.

Complete them all BUT DO NOT SUBMIT THEM.

Only submit and gain the rewards for “FE” or “CF”.

FE and/or CF should be available again from levemete.

Only submit the “King” and “Lala” variants when you’re ready to go next tier.

List of Botany Levequests (Evaluation)

Updated our Botany Levequests list to include all quests and rated each per tier.

Find out the best mining leves per tier, and how to maximize the use of levequests for your miner.

Hey guys! This is a short guide detailing the best mining levequests per leve tier. If you’re here you’re probably going to want to see: Mining Leveling Guide. There’s not much else to say about that, I guess – but I’ll have a brief explanation for the newer players:

When in doubt: “Flower Elf” and “Catgirl Fishing” best.
“Lala” and “King” are garbage.

Sadly, not all mining levequests are equal. Of the 4 types of leves you can get, 2 are far superior than the other 2. As stated earlier: Flower Elf > Catgirl Fishing > Lala/King (equally bad). The problem is the massive disparity between the good ones and the bad ones… in any case – avoid the latter if you can.

Evaluation Mining Leves: are the aforementioned “Flower Elf (FE)” and “Catgirl Fishing (CF)“. If you get the highest possible evaluation rating – you get a massive EXP bonus. This is what you’re after! Careful, it can be a pain if your miner has bad gear.

Levequest Engineering: is the process of ‘forcing’ certain levequests to pop for you. How is this achieved?

Accept all available mining levequests when you reach a new levemete.

Complete them all BUT DO NOT SUBMIT THEM.

Only submit and gain the rewards for “FE” or “CF”.

FE and/or CF should be available again from levemete.

Only submit the “King” and “Lala” variants when you’re ready to go next tier.

List of Mining Levequests (Evaluation)

Updated our Mining Levequests list to include all quests and rated each per tier.

Before you begin…

For those who haven’t even unlocked the mining class: The Miner’s Guild is in Ul’dah.

Make sure you know all about gaining EXP most efficiently. We have a Gathering General Leveling Guide for this. Key points are: Choosing the right levequests (ones with evaluation can potentially give insane EXP), keeping key pieces of gear up to date (for getting maximum EXP per node), and making the most out of every node (using skills properly).

Regarding Mining Class Quest Items, it’s ideal to farm for them BEFORE you hit the next quest. (For example, farm Wyvern Obsidian while you’re level 26-29). As a quick reference, we will put all items needed here (they are mentioned again in more detail on every section).

Where to find Bone Chips? You can complete both of these quests in one go, to save time. So make sure you have both sets of items ready before you return to Adalberta (10 Copper Ores and 50 Bone Chips). If you’re lazy you can also buy this from tradecraft merchant NPC’s (not recommended).

Before you begin…

For those who haven’t even unlocked the botany class: The Botanist Guild is in Gridania (6,8).

Familiarize yourself with gaining EXP most efficiently! We have a Gathering General Leveling Guide for this. Key points are: Choosing the right levequests (ones with evaluation can potentially give insane EXP), keeping key pieces of gear up to date (for getting maximum EXP per node), and making the most out of every node (using skills properly).

Regarding Botany Class Quest Items, it’s ideal to farm for them BEFORE you hit the next quest. (For example, farm 99 Crow Feather before you reach Level 10). As a quick reference, we will put all items needed here (they are mentioned again in more detail on every section).

Where to find Latex and Maple Sap? You can complete both of these quests in one go, to save time. Get 10 Latex, and 50 Maple Sap before returning to Fufucha. You can also pick them up from Tradecraft NPC’s but I do not recommend it.

Okay so this is a “cheap meld” which leaves 4 GP uncapped. Does it really matter? No, not really. It’s very very expensive to cap this requiring an overmelded V and two IV’s to work out. All in all if you want to be “maxed out” on GP, consider replacing the perception melds in the suggestion above. Ultimately, everyone has their own budget but the meld I suggested has many good points.

Ring: Ironworks Ring of Gathering
I HAVE 2 MELDS IN THE TABLE ABOVE

Of those two melds, I like the the one that utilizes GAT V simply because they will be a little less in demand compared to PER V. It’s up to prices on the day you meld, anyhow.

It’s a painless meld that caps with a single V and not even an over-melded IV. Great!

Is Red Scrip Augmented Keep set worth it for DoL?

tldr no, except for fillers. If you’re swimming in Red Scrip might as well get weapon for a filler. Shirt is a far second. It doesn’t help that this set is class-specific… yuck.

How to get deez damn collectibles! If you’re short on collectability 0 find out some basic appraisal rotations here!

Hello guys, a preliminary guide here. Basically I’ll be listing down the rotations I used WHILE LEVELING UP. It’s no use discussing the “real” end-game collectability gathering rotations since we have no idea what numbers we’re reaching for, and how much GP we will actually have. (Yes I know there’s a current BiS… but how long will that last? Will keep an eye out for the recipe unlocks come Alexander). I personally had more than 600 GP, but it’s very unrealistic to make a rotation for LEVELING UP with 650+ GP, since not everyone had a pimped out Foragers Set.

Red scrip (470 collectability) Rotation (variable collects)

Thanks to my FCmate Tiffany Faye for this! This rotation can get at least 2, and up to 4!!!! 470 collectible items! Here’s the basic rotation

Reveal with a hit!

Discerning Eye

Impulsive Appraisal

IF PROC, Single Mind. NO PROC? Discerning Eye

Impulsive Appraisal

IF PROC, Single Mind, NO PROC? Discerning Eye

Methodical Appraisal

The above rotation seems damn good for me! While it requires brainpower, the eventual time saved is definitely something. I did not note the min perception needed but please mention your results.

End-Game Gathering Rotations (For now)

I’ll just copy the “1 collect” rotation from below. Since this is as good as it gets for 1 Collect @ 600 GP! Yes I do realize you can go much higher. But that’s for the minute few that have the 700++ GP for it. I’ll post those once I know more of what we need to reach, and how much GP people have on average.

Maximum Appraisal Potency for 600 GP 1 Collect

Reveal with a hit!

Discerning Eye

Methodical Appraisal

Discerning Eye

Methodical Appraisal

Utmost Caution

Methodical Appraisal

Utmost Caution

Methodical Appraisal

Collect

!!VERY IMPORTANT!! >400 Appraisal Potency 3 Collect

at 570~ Perception you can easily 3 gather the high grade scrip unspoileds. I use this rotation to do so:

Reveal with a hit!

Single Mind

Methodical Appraisal

Discerning Eye

Methodical Appraisal

Discerning Eye

Methodical Appraisal

Collect

Collect

Collect

Gathering Rotations used WHILE Leveling (Based on 600 GP)

If you have extra GP, use a Field Mastery. Or try something else. I personally didn’t see the need more than 600 GP in the road to 60~. If you’re a newer player, strive to get 600 GP somehow. Use food, cheaply meld gear… just find a way! These rotations DO NOT USE SINGLE MIND (For low level friendliness), but you’ll be more experienced by then anyway. So these rotations are really there to help those who are a little more confused.

These four basic rotations will help you gather almost any collectible. If you fail with the 1 collect – you’re undergeared.

The goal is you want AS MANY ITEMS as you can with the MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE COLLECTABILITY. So when you’re trying something new – go for the 1 collect. Go for more collects if you feel you can do it!

4 Collect, 250 Appraisal potency:

Toil of the Pioneer

Discerning Eye

Methodical Appraisal

Methodical Appraisal

Collect

Collect

Collect

Collect

(Macro possible?) If you know of a 4 collect rotation with higher than 250 appraisal potency AT 600 GP, please let me know!

3 Collect, 350 Appraisal potency:

Toil of the Pioneer

Discerning Eye

Methodical Appraisal

Methodical Appraisal

Methodical Appraisal

Collect

Collect

Collect

(Macro possible?) If you know of a 3 collect rotation with higher than 350 appraisal potency AT 600 GP, please let me know!

Before you begin…

For those who haven’t even unlocked the fishing class: The Fisher’s Guild is in Limsa Lominsa.

To gain maximum EXP as a Fisher and level up fast, keep note of the following. Key points are: Choosing the right fish/spot/lure for you level. Also, Keeping key pieces of gear up to date (To up HQ chance, and reduce “got away”). Our Gathering Gear Guide is something you should keep open while leveling up: If you’re curious, here’s the equipment I prepared for my journey to 50.

Have a pile of Rabbit Pie (you can buy it from the Limsa food vendor in the market). If you can, pack some Jack-o-Lanterns, too.

Fishing Class Quest Items

For fishing, you might want to check the Market Board and buy up all the brainlessly cheap fish to make this a little bit less of a hassle. You can submit fish as quest requirements that are bought from NPC/Auction house!

Where to find Lominsan Anchovy & Harbor Herring? These can be found right outside the guild. The bait you use should be Lugworm and Pillbug respectively. I suggest just grinding it out here until you reach level 5. You would have caught 5x Lominsan Anchovy and 3x Harbor Herring by then.

These are really… REALLY not worth doing EXP wise. But given how lazy I was (and other people surely) to muck around in lower levels, you can use these to speed the process up immensely. If you have 100 leves lying around… go for it!

FSH Level ~1-5 Grinding spotsJust fish around the front of the guild :) (See advice above). If you’re lazy just buy up 5x Lominsan Anchovy, 3x Harbor Herring, all the cheap Merlthor Gobies and Malm Kelps you can and just submit stuff to the Levequest guy.

I didn’t really bother looking for a good spot to fish these up since the grinding spot mentioned below far exceeds hunting for levequest fish in this tier. I feel that in this tier either you go out and grind it, or buy a pile of these fish off the MB and spam the levequests. Fishing these up just for submission straight up loses to the grinding option.

FSH Level ~5-10 Grinding spots

This may seem out of the way, but fishing in Murmur Rills (NSH) using Crayfish Ball is the absolute best and fastest spot to reach level 10!

Swiftperch using Goby Ball has a small chance to get you ALL of the fish you need! Save the Rothlyt Oysters and White Corals – they’re used for the next tiers leves.

FSH Level ~10-15 Grinding spots

Thankfully, Swiftperch is the best choice for both leve-fishing AND grinding. Continuously fishing and submitting make this tier extremely fast to get through. No reason not to just sit your butt in Swiftperch and grind.

Don’t waste time worrying about your Gathering Gear – and get that DoL class to 50!

Confused about when or what DoL / Gathering gear you should get? When and what are the best gathering gear upgrades, and why? Find out all about that here – and save money on your road to a level 50 gatherer!

Why upgrade your Gathering gear?

Moreso than crafting, better gathering gear = faster levelling. We all know how “exciting” it is levelling a gathering class, ey?

The importance of high Gathering Stat:

Striking at a node and not getting anything means ZERO exp, BROKEN CHAINS and ultimately, wasted time (and money! since you could have gotten the item!) So first and foremost you’re going to want as much gathering as possible.

Gathering is insanely useful in maximizing Levequest EXP. more on this later…

The importance of high Perception Stat:

If you’re doing a lot of grinding, Perception becomes very useful in boosting you EXP gains. Why? At max, you have a 15% chance to gather HQ items without a buff. Let’s compare a gatherer with 0% HQ chance versus 15% HQ chance: 100+[(2*100)*0.15] (HQ percent chance) = 30% Average EXP Bonus.

If you aren’t a level 50 calculator, then it’s fine. All you need to know is that being capped in perception gives you quite a sizeable exp bonus. 30% is not a joke, and it stacks with chains, food and rested EXP.

Perception however, isn’t useful if you’re planning to use levequests… why?

Gathering gear, Levequests and You:

Since getting HQ items is impossible during leves, Perception is useless during a leve attempts. Gathering becomes the single most useful stat, with GP as a supporting stat.

If you’re planning on grinding, both Perception and Gathering are important. However, Gathering is still your most important stat. Why? Again, ENSURING exp gains and ENSURING chains is your first goal. Then once that’s fulfilled, modify it with Perception for massive exp gains.

So we can conclude, during leveling up, Gathering is the most important stat, whether you choose to grind or use leves. And if you’re planning to do a bit of both, getting Perception is a great bonus to grinding. So what does this mean in terms of gearing up?

GP – How useful is it?

Going to level 50, GP isn’t exactly a sustainable resource to rely on. It’s a welcome boost, but not exactly necessary. At 50 though, that’s a completely different discussion…

Gathering gear upgrade strategy

Okay so you want Gathering, no matter how you level up. In terms of gear slots that would be the: Main Hand, Off-hand, Chest (coincidentally they also give huge perception, and are considered critical upgrades). So you want these no matter what you’re going to do. Upgrade as often as possible.

Two more pieces give Gathering: Gloves and Pants. These are less critical, and you should upgrade if you can afford it. Gloves are more powerful than pants! Around 50% more gathering is found on gloves compared to pants! Keep this in mind when buying upgrades.

Now for Perception… The most important pieces were already mentioned above (MH, OH, Chest). The rest are: Helmets, Boots and Belts. Again when thinking of bang for buck – Helmets are the best investment, which are usually 100% more powerful than boots. And belts are the worst investment, as they’re only half as powerful as boots typically!!!

Overall, a cost-efficient upgrade path will be discussed in the end of this post, before that – tables of what level you get upgrades…

Gathering Critical Upgrades – What Level?

The table below represents the levels you get a new DoL chest, Miner main and off-hands, Botanist main and off-hands, and fishing main hand. (All possible critical upgrades)

Level

Chest

MIN Main

MIN Off

BTN Main

BTN Off

FSH Main

1

x

x

x

x

x

x

2

3

4

5

6

x

7

8

x

x

x

9

x

10

11

x

x

x

12

x

x

x

13

14

x

15

x

x

x

x

x

16

17

18

x

19

x

x

x

20

x

x

21

x

22

x

x

23

x

24

x

x

25

x

x

x

26

x

27

x

28

x

x

29

x

x

x

30

x

31

x

x

32

x

x

33

x

34

x

x

35

x

x

36

37

x

38

x

x

x

39

x

x

40

x

41

x

42

43

x

x

x

x

x

44

x

45

46

x

47

x

x

48

x

x

x

x

49

50

x

x

x

x

x

x

Disciple of Land (DoL) Body pieces

The table is sorted by (at least in my opinion) importance. The left side being more important and more worth the investment, and gets less important as you go right. Gear marked (G) gives gathering, and (P) gives perception. So ignore the Perception pieces if you’re primarily thinking of getting to 50 using Fieldcraft Leves.

Level

Hands (G)

Head (P)

Legs (G)

Feet (P)

Waist (P)

1

x

x

x

x

x

2

3

4

5

x

x

x

6

x

7

8

9

x

10

x

x

11

x

x

12

x

13

x

14

15

x

x

x

16

x

17

x

18

19

x

x

20

x

x

21

22

x

23

x

24

25

x

x

x

26

27

x

x

x

28

29

30

x

x

x

31

x

32

33

34

35

x

x

x

x

x

36

37

x

38

x

39

x

40

x

x

x

x

41

42

x

43

x

x

x

x

44

x

45

x

x

46

x

47

x

48

x

x

x

x

49

50

x

x

x

x

Disciple of Land (DoL) GP pieces (Accessories)

While not super important while leveling up… you cant really be “sad” to have more MAX GP.

Level

Necklace

Earings

Bracelet

Ring

1

2

3

4

5

x

6

7

x

x

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

x

15

16

17

x

x

18

19

20

x

21

22

23

24

x

25

26

27

x

x

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

x

35

36

37

x

x

38

39

40

x

41

42

43

44

x

45

x

46

47

x

x

48

49

50

x

Summary: DoL Cost-efficient upgrade path

First of all – Everything below level 15~ is negligible. and you don’t need to really think about your gear before then.

Main Hand, Off-Hand and Chest should be upgraded when you can afford it.

As a side upgrade to Gathering: updating your Gloves are a good idea every now and then. Legs are less imporant. Here’s our suggestion for a cost-efficient upgrade path: